Elegant and powerful this stylish BMW can do it all and some more.
There are many automakers in the world who try to build a car that combines the two opposites, sportiness and luxury but not many actually do get it right and BMW has done it with their 2020 BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupe.
Technically not a coupe but a slinky four door sports sedan the M850i is the sports sedan of the 8 series line offering the comfort of a four-door sedan with the performance of a purebred sportscar.
It’s a beautifully proportioned car with small kidney grills in front narrow lights and a gentle raked windscreen that just flows into the roof. The trunk is perfectly proportioned giving the car a graceful look from any angle. Its a big car but on the outside its hard to tell.
We went over to pick the car at night, it was glistening in its Sonic Speed Blue color, the gentle rumble of the huge exhaust gave hints of what lay in store and it sent tingles down our spines.
The Mechanicals
This car is like a wolf in sheep’s clothing with its 4.4L turbocharged DOHC 32-valve V-8 that pumps out 523 hp @ 5,500-6,000 rpm and 553 lb-ft @ 1,800-4,600 rpm which is more than enough to keep you quiet far ahead of the rest.
Each of its driving modes is like a separate personality, in comfort mode you can drive around town and it behaves as docile as any other car, switch to sport the suspension firms up, the engine notes changes, the steering becomes stiffer and in sports plus it’s an absolute monster.
We loved how the each of these modes gave an entirely different driving experience, with its 8-speed gearbox and the xDrive system its always tractable waiting for you to floor the throttle. We will have to believe the 0 to 100 time of 3.5 seconds as we didn’t have the heart to try it out.
The Interiors
In typical BMW fashion the interiors are a brilliant harmony of metal, leather, plastic, crystal, carbon fiber and Alcantara all formed and fitted in a way you wouldn’t think possible on a mass-produced vehicle.
In the center of all this, a small gear lever with a cut crystal topper stands next to a flat crystal start button, replete with a multifaceted interior cut that refracts the “Start Engine Stop” script into a funhouse mirror effect.
The huge infotainment screens are pin sharp and a pleasure to watch while the sound system is simply amazing. There are screens in the rear for the passengers to enjoy as well. The legroom at the rear was impressive and this would be a perfect long distance touring car for four in sybarite luxury.
The Verdict
The M850i gives new meaning to a multi performance vehicle, you can sell your two-seat sports car and your family people carrier and use this for all occasions, its that refined and capable.
Alas all good things have to end and its time to drop off this beauty of a beast, we will always have fond memories of the short time we spent with this fabulous motor.
This BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupe was a 2020 model with just 6,500 km on it and was supplied courtesy of Abu Dhabi Motors where it can be purchased for a mere AED 506,000.
Pictures courtesy of Aman Baig.
